rdstemler

Saw a new "S" next to a new straight C2. The S had 19" wheels and the straight had 17". What an astounding difference!!!!!! The 17"s looked like "wimp wheels"! When you look in and see the brakes, the difference is even more remarkable. The standard C2 brakes look exceptionally undersized. Especially the rears. And they do a good job. What will the S brakes be like???

The exhaust tone on the S is wonderful. You even get a little raspy note at idle! Thats progress!

jes999

997 has 18" wheels as standard equipment.

MJones

No 17" wheels for the Carrera for '05
18" wheels are standard on the Carrera shod with 235/40 in the fromt and 265/40 in the rear The new 18-in summer tire performs the function of the comfortable tire (standard on the 911Carrera).
The tires are higher profile so as to match the 1" increased overall diameter of the 19"

The tire circumference has been increased by 2.5% at the front axle and 5% at the rear axle. The larger rolling circumference increases the side-wall height/tire width ratio in comparison with the previous 911Carrera model to guarantee an appropriate level of comfort despite the larger wheels.

S Brakes:
The 911Carrera S model has larger, reinforced 4-piston monobloc fixed calipers based on the brake system of the current 911 Turbo at the front and rear axle. They are painted red to distinguish them from the calipers on the basic model. The internally ventilated and perforated brake discs have also been enlarged, to 12.99 in x 1.34 in(diameter x width) at the front axle and 12.99 in x 1.10 in at the rear axle. The use of larger brake pads in comparison with the basic model increases the effective total brake pad surface by approx. 24% at the front axle and 30% at the rear axle,

Yellow calipers=The Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake

Alan Smithee

As others noted, the standard Carrera has 18s. I agree that the wheels look a bit lost in the wheelwells of the standard Carrera; I think the "wimp" look is a factor of a couple things: With PASM the S sits a bit lower, and although overall diameter of the wheels/tires are the same on both, the rears on the S are much wider. This combination doesn't allow you to see over the tires and through the wheelwells as you can on the standard Carrera. Also, the 19" wheels are a much more bold design, making them look bigger visibly...whereas the more delicate looking 18s allow a better view of what are only slightly smaller brakes.

Riz

My 02 996 C2 has 225's in front and 285's on back on 18" carrera wheels. Does the 997 carrera(non-S) have less understeer/better balance because of less staggering of tire sizes F/R? I drove the 997S but not the regular 997 yet.

Alan Smithee

If the only change on the 997 was less front/rear tire stagger, then it would be safe to assume less understeer. But since the whole suspension, track, wheel/tire diameter, steering, and more have been revised on the new car, there's no way to isolate the tire change's effects on handling.

jcnesq

The 997S comes with 19's as standard. With all the spy photos, I thought I would hate the new 997S wheel style, but in person I find that I like them a lot. The ceramic brakes (which I got) have 6 piston front calipers. The 997S sits .39" lower than the standard 997 - I am noticing front lip scraping a lot more than my 996, in fact I find I have to be very, very careful now.

I absolutely LOVE the 997S - only 110 miles driving so far, but first impressions are that this is an awesome advance.

rdstemler

Yes, my mistake. It was a 996 parked next to the S.

GreggT

Mistaking a 996 for a 997 is not all that tough.
You just have to go with more than "80% new" to really make a change these days

fokker

Is the 997 18" wheels more comfortable than the 19" wheels? Is there a big difference?